Winton Hills Mothers Invited to Community Baby Shower

CINCINNATI—Pregnant women and new mothers living in Winton Hills who receive help from other women in the community report better neonatal outcomes and improve their infant-care practices, a University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing study found.

With that in mind, the College of Nursing, Winton Hills Seniors for Action and the TriHealth parish nurses are hosting the first community baby shower for Winton Hills pregnant women and mothers with children under the age of one. The shower will be held Saturday, May 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Winton Hills Community Center.

“The infant mortality rate for African-American infants in Hamilton County is three times higher than the mortality rate for white infants,” says Christine Savage, PhD, associate professor of nursing. “Hamilton County has some of the best resources available, so it can’t all be about prenatal care. These numbers haven’t changed in a decade—there must be other contributing factors.”

As a result of the UC study, Winton Hills mothers will have the chance to link with seniors in the community, talk to representatives from agencies to find out what resources are available to them, hear a panel address frequently asked questions about parenting, socialize with other mothers and receive shower gifts.

“Connecting with women in the neighborhood who have raised children is a valuable resource,” says Dr. Savage. “Each relationship is different, but they can provide emotional support, advice, help in obtaining needed baby items, and even baby-sitting.

“We’re hoping that by connecting these women, we can contribute to better outcomes for the mothers and babies and ultimately lower the infant mortality rate.”